William F. Smith: “Yesterday we witnessed the hallmark of democracy of the peaceful transfer of power. And, like President Obama, we all…”

“Yesterday we witnessed the hallmark of democracy of the peaceful transfer of power. And, like President Obama, we all wish our country a prosperous future. Although the national media strongly criticized President Bush for the cost of his inauguration in 2005, such criticism has been predictably scarce for President Obama, even though his inauguration was more than twice as expensive as President Bush's. For example, a New York Times editorial in 2005 suggested that the war in Iraq should dictate restraint for President Bush's inauguration. We now face two wars and serious economic challenges, yet the Times offered no similar criticism of yesterday's event. Expensive inaugurations are nothing new, and I am sure many who faced traffic congestion and long lines yesterday wished even more had been spent on this year's celebration. But we need the media to be evenhanded in its treatment of Republican and Democratic inaugurations, not guilty of a double standard.”